Busan City Supports Winter Heated Vests for Platform Workers!

Body Cam Rental for Substitute Drivers, Creating a Warm Workplace Environment, Preventing Violence and Sexual Harassment

Online Applications Accepted from the 27th … Thermal Vests Provided to Those Completing Job and Safety Training

Busan City supports the creation of a warm and safe working environment for platform workers by providing 90 heated vests and lending body cameras to designated drivers.

Busan City Hall.

This project was selected in March through a public contest hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor under the 'Platform Workers Workplace Improvement Support Project.' With the recent changes in the industrial system, the number of platform workers is increasing, but many work under vulnerable conditions without safety protection measures. This initiative aims to establish a minimum safe labor provision environment for them.

Platform workers refer collectively to those who provide labor through online platforms, such as designated drivers, delivery workers, and domestic service workers.

Since July, the city has been implementing this support project. During the summer, 111 ice vests were distributed to platform workers, and this winter, heated vests are being provided to support equipment that is practically needed in the field.

Additionally, body cameras (cameras attached to the body to record on-site footage) are lent to designated drivers, especially women and others vulnerable to self-defense, to protect their personal safety. This is expected to prevent violence and sexual harassment crimes, promote psychological stability for drivers, and significantly help resolve disputes between drivers and users.

The heated vests will be distributed to workers who complete the job and safety training at the Busan Mobile (Platform) Workers Support Center starting November 30. Applications for the training will be accepted online on a first-come, first-served basis from November 27 at the Busan Mobile (Platform) Workers Support Center.

Body camera lending has been in operation since July for designated drivers, with applications accepted in person until the end of December.

Bodycam.

The eligibility criteria for both projects require applicants to be platform workers who are either registered residents (workplace) in Busan as of the application date or have worked at least 50% of their time in the Busan area between September and November of this year.

For efficient project operation, Busan City plans to accept applications and distribute equipment at three Busan Mobile (Platform) Workers Support Centers located in Seomyeon, Sasang, and Haeundae.

The Busan Mobile (Platform) Workers Support Centers also play a significant role as welfare and healing spaces for users by operating various programs such as horticultural therapy that helps emotional stability, succulent farm experiences, and other classes for self-development.

Lee Soo-il, Director of the Administrative Autonomy Bureau, stated, “Busan City has established a comprehensive welfare system for mobile (platform) workers through the operation of three Mobile (Platform) Workers Support Centers in Seomyeon, Sasang, and Haeundae. We will further activate center operations through various projects and actively support practical improvements in workplace conditions and rights enhancement in the future.”